Dr. Afnan Alkhaldi is a distinguished scholar and expert in Operations and Information Management, specializing in the strategic domains of smart cities and e-governance. She holds a Ph.D. in Operation and Information Management from the University of Bradford, an MBA in Strategic Management from Kuwait Maastricht School of Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Gulf University for Science and Technology. Dr. Alkhaldi's academic and professional work is characterized by a deep commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology with management practices to address complex challenges in urban development and governmental processes.
Currently an Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor at Arab Open University - Kuwait, Dr. Alkhaldi engages in rigorous academic instruction in management, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students. She has a proven track record in applying her expertise in practical settings, notably in her role as a Consultant for the Al-Hareer Smart City project at Kuwait Municipality, where she contributes to strategic urban planning and economic development initiatives.
Dr. Alkhaldi's experience extends to significant editorial responsibilities. She has served as a Special Issue Editor for the Smart Cities Journal, addressing key technological integrations and their socio-economic impacts. She is also a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for the Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, and has contributed as a Book Editor for the series on Digital Transformation in Higher Education. Her editorial work supports the dissemination of innovative research in her fields of expertise, underlining her commitment to academic excellence and practical applications in smart city development and e-governance.
Her comprehensive experience in teaching, research, and application of information systems in urban management makes Dr. Alkhaldi a valuable contributor to both academic and practical advancements in technology and management disciplines.
Dr. Afnan Alkhaldi expertly teaches Management Information Systems (MIS) and business courses, blending theoretical knowledge with practical applications to prepare students for the challenges of the modern business and technological environments.
Kuwait Municipality Information system department- Control systems development in GIS 2013 -Aug2022
IUK Adjunct Faculty of Information System August 2021 -May 2022
AOU Adjunct Faculty of Management Feb 2022 –June
Ktech Adjunct Faculty of Information System Feb 2022–June 2022
AOU Assistant Professor of Management Sep 2022-Present
Consultant in the team of economic urban planning and Alhareer smart City Jul 2023- July 2024
Assistant Dean- Acting Arab Open University - Faculty of Business Studies and Law, Deanship, Kuwait Jan 2024 - Present
Recent Publications
Journal Articles
- Alkhaldi, A. (2022). Digital Exclusion During the COVID‑19 Pandemic: A Review of How Developed Countries Responded to Support Their Citizens. Journal of Electronic Government Research.
- Alkhaldi, A. N., Alrashidi, H., Alhassan, K., & Alsadeeqi, A. (2023). The Use of Blockchain Technology to Build Smart Cities: Creating Public Value in Kuwait. Journal of Global Knowledge, Memory, and Communication.
- Alkhaldi, A., Malik, S., Alhaimer, R., Alshaheen, A., & Lytras, M. D. (2024). Translating a Value‑Based Framework for Resilient E‑Learning Impact in Post‑COVID‑19 Times: Research‑Based Evidence from Higher Education in Kuwait. Heliyon.
- Malik, S., Alkhaldi, A., Salamzadeh, A., & Mantas, C. (2024). A Systematic Literature Review on Home‑Based Businesses: Two Decades of Research. Journal of Family Business Management.
- Alkhaldi, A., Malik, S., & Lytras, M. D. (2024). A Technology‑Organization‑Environment (TOE) Assessment to Innovation in eGovernment and Smart Cities Services: Investigating Factors Affecting the Adoption of Mobile ID in Kuwait. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management. (in production)
Book Chapters- Lytras, M. D., Serban, A. C., Alkhaldi, A., Aldosemani, T., & Malik, S. (2024). Digital Transformation in Higher Education in Times of Artificial Intelligence: Setting the Emerging Landscape. In Digital Transformation in Higher Education, Part A (pp. 1‑22). Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Alkhaldi, A., Malik, S., & Lytras, M. D. (2024). Transformative Leadership in Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority: Investing in Talent, Innovation and the Next Generation. In Transformative Leadership and Sustainable Innovation in Education: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (pp. 27‑38). Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Lytras, M. D., Serban, A. C., Alkhaldi, A., Aldosemani, T., & Malik, S. (2024). Transformative Learning for Future Higher Education: The Artificial Intelligence‑enabled Learning Revolution 2035. In Digital Transformation in Higher Education, Part B (pp. 231‑241). Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Lytras, M. D., Alkhaldi, A., & Malik, S. (2024). Transformative Leadership [TL] and Sustainable Innovation in Higher Education [HE]: Setting the Context. In Transformative Leadership and Sustainable Innovation in Education: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (pp. 211‑229). Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Lytras, M. D., Serban, A. C., Alkhaldi, A., Aldosemani, T., & Malik, S. (2024). Digital Transformation for Enhanced Learning Impact and Student Experience. Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Lytras, M. D., Alkhaldi, A., Malik, S., Serban, A., & Aldosemani, T. (2024). What’s Next in Higher Education: The AI Revolution 2030. Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Lytras, M. D., Serban, A., Alkhaldi, A., Malik, S., & Aldosemani, T. (2024). The AI Landscape in Higher Education: Current Developments, Opportunities, and Threats. Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Lytras, M. D., Alkhaldi, A., Malik, S., Serban, A. C., & Aldosemani, T. (2024). Visioning the Future of Higher Education through Artificial Intelligence. Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Lytras, M. D., Alkhaldi, A., & Malik, S. (2024). A Holistic Framework for Smart Cities Governance in the Gulf Region: From Hype to Sustainable Impact. Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Malik, S., Alkhaldi, A., Al‑Mansour, J., & Lytras, M. D. (2024). Digital Intersections: Synergies between the Gig Economy and Evolution of the Smart City. Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Alkhaldi, A., Malik, S., Alhammadi, S., & Lytras, M. D. (2024). The Role of Government in Ensuring Sustainability in Smart Urban Development: A Case Study of Kuwait. Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Lytras, M. D., Alkhaldi, A., Malik, S., & Serban, A. C. (2024). Artificial Intelligence for Smart City Vision 2040 in Gulf Region. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Academic Conference Presentations- Alkhaldi, A. N., Weerakkody, V., & Sivarajah, U. (2018). Investigating the Relationship between Technology Readiness and Acceptance Quality, E‑Satisfaction, E‑Loyalty, and E‑WOM. British Academy of Management (BAM2018), UK
- Alkhaldi, A., Alhasan, K., & Alrashidi, H. (2023). Investigating the Service Quality Factors That Influence the Use of Sahel Service in Kuwait. Innovation and Technological Advances for Sustainable Development (ITAS), Doha.
